November/December 2007

Ü The pumpkin originated in Central America and has been grown in North America for 5,000 years.

Ü Pumpkins were once recommended for removing freckles and even for curing snake bites.

Ü Pumpkins range in weight from less than one pound to over 1,000 pounds. The largest pumpkin on record weighed 1,140 pounds.

Ü The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word "pepon,"which means " a large melon."

Ü Pumpkins are 90% water, low in calories, fat and sodium, high in fiber, and are a good source of vitamins A & B, potassium, iron and protein.

Ü The largest pumpkin pie ever made was more than five feet in diameter and weighed over 350 pounds. It used 80 pounds of cooked pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 12 dozen eggs, and was baked for 6 hours!

Ü In Colonial days, the pumpkins were used in the pie crust – not the filling.

Ü The pumpkin pie actually originated when colonists cut the tops off of pumpkins, removed the seeds and filled the resulting cavity with milk, spices and honey. The pumpkin was then baked in hot ashes.